Walt Gray Show Blog

Walt's Best Local TV News Anchors

by Walt Gray,posted Mar 21 2013 7:33AM

My Top Five Local TV News Anchors. Criteria includes market longevity and field reporting skills (names interchangable)

*Edie Lambert KCRA 3.
The lead station's most tenured news anchor who knows the value of community work.
A true passion for getting stories right. One of the markets best reporters for years when she was out in the field starting in 1995. She can write/report/anchor/go live in the field. She cares about the product and the people watching.

*Cristina Mendonsa KXTV 10.
Steady star quality and the face of the local ABC station since she started in 1995. Viewers often remark about the twinkle in her eye. Great fashion sense. Is the equal of any on the anchor desk but hasn't worked a regular reporter shift except for special assignments. Would be a star in any city. News10 is lucky she's stuck around.

*Deirdre Fitzpatrick KCRA 3
An Emmy winner as best anchor in the Sacramento AND San Francisco markets. Fitz has a great journalistic background from the U. of Missouri. Can write with the best of any network reporter. She's a mainstay of the station's Olympic coverage from anywhere in the world.
The only downside to her being tethered to the morning anchor desk is we don't see her live reporting on the evening newscasts. She's been at KCRA since '97.

*Sam Shane KOVR 13
A true veteran of broadcast journalism who's probably the most experienced anchor...and reporter in the market.
A standout at KCRA who after a stint at KGO/San Francisco became a daytime fixture as a news anchor on MSNBC.
He has the look and polish (and voice) of what news management calls a "command anchor". I think he's one the best reporters in the country. If he'd chosen that path, I have no doubt he'd be on 60 Minutes.

*Chris Riva KCRA 3. Why? He's the market's "Mr. Versatile". His regular week includes anchoring the weekend evening newscasts AND reporting on breaking news during the weekdays AND anchoring sportscasts when Del Rogers is off AND handling sports field reporting as well. He could be covering a live pot bust in El Dorado County one day AND the local prep baseball playoffs the next. He could probably do a weather forecast too.

Thank you for including me on your list, my friend! I am proud to be in this company. We miss you!!

03/22/2013 7:24PM

Jan Alexander

I love KCRA 3 News and have for many years. I miss you, Walt, and especially when you and Fritz did the morning news when I woke up at 4 AM. I could always count on you to get my day started with a couple cups of coffee. All those you mentioned are super great and I am proud they are a part of the Sacramento team. It is a news station I can trust with a little casual banter and then back to serious journalism. I wish everyone all the best and, once again, miss you!!

03/22/2013 7:29PM

Donna Thayer

Several people (men) have told me that I resemble Dierdre Fitzpatrick...if only my three-mile power walks compared with her CIM participation! I love the 4:30 a.m. news and try not to miss it when I get up 3:30 a.m. for work (building in a cup of coffee and watching KCRA, or course!!

03/22/2013 7:32PM

Sac anchors

We are lucky to have some top notch people. I, too would love to see Sam in the field. If he would quit the thank yous, and really great story, he would move up in my estimation. They are all solid performers who could make in any market. I must add, asa radio reporter/anchor I was surprised at how bad the folks in LA are. We are truly lucky in this market.

03/22/2013 7:52PM

awesome selection...

i too, think you have made great points. the mentioned are all awesome & make the news "news worthy". Only other people worth mentioning is A.B & you......we miss you on ch 3 but glad to see you move on to something you enjoy.

03/23/2013 1:16PM

Hi Walt. Miss you on CH 3

Thanks for your wonderful comments about my favorite CH 3 personalities. They are the best. We are so fortunate to have such an awsome team on CH3. Glad you enjoy your new home...but miss.

04/04/2013 11:42AM

Stan the Man..?

Not Musial ..Atkinson.. Wassupp with that..? was he a Ted Baxter type..?